Julie Morrison Wins Prestigious National Lottery Award for Baby Loss Retreat
Baby Loss Retreat founder Julie Morrison was recognised on a national stage in 2020 when she was named winner of the Charity and Community category at the UK-wide National Lottery Awards.
The prestigious award recognised Julie's dedication to supporting parents and families affected by miscarriage, stillbirth and neonatal loss.
Julie and her husband Bryan founded Baby Loss Retreat following their own devastating experience of losing their daughter, Erin, who was stillborn at 37 weeks in 2003. Their personal experience of grief, combined with the difficulties they encountered accessing aftercare and counselling, inspired them to create a place where other bereaved families could receive understanding, compassion and practical support.
Baby Loss Retreat was established in 2018 with the help of National Lottery funding. The charity provides counselling and support as well as peaceful retreat breaks where bereaved parents can spend time away from the pressures of everyday life, reflect and begin to process their grief.
Supporting Families Through Lockdown
Julie's work became particularly important during the COVID-19 pandemic.
When lockdown restrictions prevented the charity from providing support in the usual way, Julie arranged for counsellors to offer online and telephone sessions so that grieving parents could continue to access help.
For families experiencing baby loss during an already isolating period, that connection was incredibly important.
Her commitment was recognised when television presenter Jean Johansson presented Julie with her National Lottery Award during Baby Loss Awareness Month in October 2020.
Nearly 5,000 people were nominated for the 2020 National Lottery Awards, making Julie's recognition an extraordinary achievement for both her and Baby Loss Retreat.
Turning Personal Loss Into Support for Others
At the heart of Baby Loss Retreat is a simple but important message: families experiencing baby loss should not have to face their grief alone.
What began from Julie and Bryan's own heartbreaking experience has grown into a source of comfort and support for other bereaved parents.
Winning the National Lottery Award brought national recognition to Julie's dedication and helped shine a light on the importance of providing compassionate, specialist support following the loss of a baby.
Julie's award is not only a celebration of her work, but also a recognition of every family Baby Loss Retreat supports and the babies whose memories remain at the heart of the charity.
Congratulations to Julie on this remarkable and thoroughly deserved national recognition.